Heart

Your child's heart is precious and requires specialized pediatric care. That's why where you take your child matters. As the largest cardiac program in the Southeast, one of the top five largest pediatric heart centers in the nation for Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and Cardiac Acute Care Unit (CACU) volumes, and one of the top ten largest pediatric heart centers for heart surgery, catheterization procedure and transplant volumes, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center provides exceptional treatment to infants, children and teenagers who have complex heart defects.

We are among the top 10 pediatric cardiac programs performing the most heart transplants in the country, with higher one-year and three-year survival rates than the national average. The number of patients we see and the excellent outcomes we have mean that our doctors have experience treating many different heart problems within a wide range of patient ages. So, whether you're looking for care for your newborn or your high school senior, our committed team of specialists, advanced technology and compassionate family support services make our Heart Center the right place to take your child's heart.

Our facilities include:

• 32 beds in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), one of the largest dedicated CICUs in the U.S.
• 35 bed, fully equipped Cardiac Acute Care Unit (CACU)
• 3 catheterization labs; 2 with hybrid capabilities, 1 EP lab
• 3 cardiovascular operating rooms (CVORs)
• 20+ outpatient cardiology clinics across Georgia
• Dedicated fetal cardiology clinic

When it comes to your child's heart, you'll go to any length to receive specialized, high-quality care, and in the Atlanta area, you don't have to go far to find it. We're ranked as one of the top pediatric cardiac and cardiology programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Our team collaborates with other specialists to help your child's specific needs. We work with you through each step of treatment, often from before your child is born through adolescence and into young adulthood. You'll always know what to expect and how to take the best care of your child.

Our specialty heart programs include:

• Aorta and Vascular Program
• Arrhythmia Program
• Cardiomyopathy Program
• Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery Program
• Fetal Cardiology Program
• Heart Transplant Program
• Preventive Cardiology Program
• Project S.A.V.E.
• Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Program
• Pulmonary Hypertension Program
• Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS) Program
• Single Ventricle Program
• Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in Infants Program
• Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program

We also offer supportive programs for our heart patients and their families, including:

• Kids at Heart Program: Our Kids at Heart community provides support and resources to families, parents and caregivers of children with congenital heart defects. With more than 900 member families, Kids at Heart offers opportunities to learn from one another about the challenges that come with having a child with heart defects.
• Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program: Our Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program provides critical mental health support to cardiac patients and families, as these patients typically have long periods of hospitalization.

What is a congenital heart defect (CHD)?

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defects that affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works, affecting 1% of newborns each year.

As a top-ranked center for pediatric heart care, we’re experienced with treating all kinds of heart problems in infants and children. We provide comprehensive cardiac services for congenital and acquired heart disease for babies to young adults, as well as prenatal (before birth) diagnostics. Treating more than 48,000 children every year, the Heart Center has gained national recognition for our innovative treatments, leading-edge research and compassionate care.

Heart defects and conditions we evaluate and treat include:

• Arrhythmia
• Atrial septal defect (ASD)
• Cardiomyopathy
• Chest pain
• Congestive heart failure
• Complex congenital heart disease
• Heart murmur
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypertension
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
• Long QT syndrome
• Myocarditis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Tetralogy of fallot (TOF)
• Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD)

With more than 50 pediatric cardiologists in more than 20 locations across the state, our Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology clinics provide accessible outpatient care for your child's cardiology needs. During your first appointment, our team will provide a thorough evaluation, including an exam and diagnostic testing, if needed. Our pediatric cardiologists will take time to personally discuss their findings and recommendations.

Our outpatient cardiology clinics have one of the top three largest patient volumes in the country. Every patient receives individualized specialty care. Our outpatient cardiology services were nationally recognized for their level of patient satisfaction with the 2018 NRC Health Award of Overall Provider Rating (adult and pediatric).

How do I make an appointment?

• Complete an appointment form or call 404-256-2593 or 800-542-2233.

What information do I need to bring to my child's first appointment?

• A completed patient form.
• A form of payment—we accept all major credit cards and insurances. Please note that copayments are due upon service.

Refer a patient (physicians only)

For physician resources, forms or to refer a patient to Children’s Cardiology, physicians can access our Cardiology referral page.

Led by Paul Chai, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and William Mahle, MD, Chief of Cardiology, our multidisciplinary team includes pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists, advanced practice providers, pediatric cardiac nurses, cardiac researchers and family support professionals.

Leadership

• Paul Chai, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Co-Chief, Children’s Heart Center
• William Mahle, MD, Chief of Cardiology, Co-chief, Children’s Heart Center

Cardiothoracic surgery

• Paul Chai, MD
• Joshua Rosenblum, MD, PhD
• Subhadra Shashidharan, MD
• Fawwaz Shaw, MD
• Mohan John, MD
• Kimberly Woodall, CPNP
• Melanie McBrayer, CPNP

Cardiology

• William Mahle, MD
• Alaa Aljiffry, MD
• Asaad Beshish, MD
• Holly Bauser-Heaton, MD, PhD
• Wesley Blackwood, MD
• William Border, MD
• Arene Butto, MD
• Brian Cardis, MD
• Nikhil Chanani, MD
• Martha Clabby, MD
• Shanelle Clarke, MD
• Andrew Dodgen, MD
• Matthew Ferguson, MD
• Peter Fischbach, MD
• Michael Fundora, MD
• Alice Hales-Kharazmi, MD
• Brandon Harden, MD
• Susan Hupp, MD
• Glen Iannucci, MD
• Shannon Jones, MD
• Usama Kanaan, MD
• Dennis Kim, MD, PhD
• Lazaros Kochilas, MD
• P. Andrea Kropf, MD
• James Kuo, MD
• Brooke Lewis, MD
• Allen Ligon, MD
• Clifford Wesley Lindsey, MD
• Kevin Maher, MD
• Heather Phelps Maloney, DO
• Chad Mao, MD
• Meghann McKane, MD
• Rachel McKay, MD
• Erik Michelfelder, MD
• Marcos Mills, MD
• James Nelson, MD
• Matthew Oster, MD
• Andrew Porter, MD
• Sanghee Ro, MD
• Fred Rodriguez, MD
• Saidie Rodriguez, MD
• Ritu Sachdeva, MD
• Denver Sallee, MD
• Cyrus Samai, MD
• Timothy Slesnick, MD
• Clayton Smith, MD
• Richard Urbano Garcia Soriano, MD
• John Stevens Jr, MD
• Divya Suthar, MD
• Benjamin Toole, MD
• Heather Viamonte, MD
• Neill Videlefsky, MD
• Michelle Wallace, MD
• Timotheus Watson, MD
• Stephanie Wechsler, MD
• Robert Whitehill, MD
• Hunter Wilson, MD
• Michael Wolf, MD

Cardiac anesthesiology

• Anne Elisa Cossu, MD, MS
• Laura Downey, MD
• Michael Fiedorek, MD
• Stephanie Grant, MD
• Nina Guzzetta, MD, FAAP
• Anna Hartzog, MD
• Scott Kolesky, MD, PhD, FAAP
• Matt Lilien, MD
• Justin Long, MD, MHI, FAAP
• Bruce Miller, MD
• Katie Roddy, MD
• Steven Tosone, MD

Perfusion Services

The Perfusion Services team at Children’s is comprised of a specialized group of individuals who are integral to the Heart Center team. The Perfusion Services team provides a variety of vital functions, including preparing, priming and managing ventricular assist devices for patients in heart failure and providing extracorporeal support for children undergoing cardiac surgery. Each of our six perfusionists are licensed and accredited, and partner with heart center clinicians during surgery to ensure children receive the best possible care.

• Kathy K. Spitzer, CCP, CCT, FPP, Manager, Perfusion Services
• Marney Moore, CCP, Lead Perfusionist
• Ann Marie McGoldrick, CCP
• Noble Isac, CCP
• Yana Ivasko, CCP
• Ramiro Torres
• Alex Gum, CCP
• Alexandra Hank, CCP